Llantwit Major Victorian Fair

Website launched

2006-10-16T17:05:00.000+01:00

Our new website www.llantwitmajorvictorianfair.co.uk has now been launched. The site gives details of the history of the event, images of previous fairs and offers traders the chance to download applications for stalls. As we organise more events for the day and details become available, they will be added to the website.

Date confirmed

2006-10-16T09:36:00.000+01:00

The date for the 2007 Llantwit Major Victorian Fair is Saturday 23rd June. There is a countdown clock on the website www.llantwitmajorvictorianfair.co.uk which will be live to the public this week...

Historical information clash...

2006-07-31T23:17:00.000+01:00

The new www.llantwitmajorvictorianfair.co.uk website is almost ready for launch. Only one thing is holding us back, and it is something that has been said for several years.

Officially, the Victorian Fair has always been held on the nearest Saturday to June 22nd, which is the traditional Annwyl Day, an event exclusive to Llantwit Major. We have discovered information that disagrees with this, stating that Annwyl Day was celebrated on May 3rd until 1907.

If any historians are reading this, your advice would be appreciated! We are looking into this and hope to bring you the new official website in the coming week.

Annwyl Day Taken from www.red4.co.uk
On May Day servants change their places in Wales half-yearly rents are paid, farms are taken, and house agreements and leases are signed. Llantwit Major, in Glamorgan, was renowned for a celebration held from time immemorial on May 3. It was called Llantwit's Annwyl, or Darling or Pet Day. Tradition states that an Irish pirate named O'Neil had for many years committed great havoc along the coast. Both sides of the Bristol Channel suffered at his hands, and many schemes were arranged to punish the offender. By-and-by the women of Llantwit set their wits working, and with success. The best-looking matrons and maidens in the town dressed themselves up in fine raiment, and went down to the meadows near Colhugh Point. There they danced and sang and held festivity until O'Neil and his men appeared in the offing. It was well known that the Irish pirate was exceedingly susceptible to the charms of women. Therefore, when he landed at Colhugh, he and his men hastened to join the fair ladies. So well were the pirates received, and so kindly were they treated, that the afternoon passed quickly. While in the midst of the dance one of the girls escaped without being noticed. She roused the men of Llantwit, and before O'Neil and his companions were aware of it they were surrounded and captured. The story goes that O'Neil was tied to a stake and burnt, while his companions were slain.

In commemoration of the occasion an effigy of the pirate was set up annually in Colhugh meadows and burnt. At the same time a King and Queen were chosen, and the usual festivities were carried out. Mrs. Wrentmore, a local lady of wealth and lands, and Mrs. Jenny Deere, a native of the town, were among the last Queens of the revels until they ceased, about 1850-1855. The Independent Order of Oddfellows then celebrated " Llantwit's Annwyl Day" by church parade and a dinner, and this was continued until the year 1907, when, like many other relics of the past, it went into oblivion.

Photographs donated

2006-07-29T15:24:00.000+01:00

Mike Baker of Bakerlite (www.bakerlite.co.uk) in Cowbridge has kindly donated his stock collection of photographs from the last Victorian Fair for us to use on our website. Incidentally, the new website is under construction and will be available soon, once we have agreed the design. In the meantime, why not visit www.bakerlite.co.uk to see the photographic skills of Mike Baker?

There are some very good scenic pictures of Llantwit Major as well, if you're planning on visitting for the Victorian Fair take a look at the fascinating views there are in and around Town.

On behalf of the Llantwit Major Victorian Fair Committee, thanks Mike.

Good reception so far

2006-07-28T11:10:00.000+01:00

Having spoken to several local businesses about their participation in the planned 2007 LLantwit Major Victorian Fair, it is pleasing to say that everybody so far has approved and agreed in principal to put on a stall and dress up in Victorian costume. It's still early days, but so far so good...

We're banking on it

2006-07-27T19:15:00.000+01:00

Steps have been taken to get the existing bank account signed over to the new committee. All mandates have been signed requesting the change of signatories and we should hopefully have full access in a couple of weeks. Judging by the balance of the account we will know what our initial budget is, and how much funding we will need to get the 2007 event underway, bigger and better than before...

Go ahead given

2006-07-26T22:57:00.000+01:00

Following the unanimous acceptance of the committee members of the Llantwit Major Chamber of Trade and Commerce on 25th July 2006, a sub-committee called the Llantwit Major Victorian Fair Committee was formed. Its founder members are:

Chairman
Janet Moisan
The Vale Organisers

Vice Chairman
Rob Renee
RIDAD Internet Solutions

Steps are underway to take over the existing bank account in order to judge what funding will be required. We will soon be approaching members of the Rotary Club, the Lions and Chamber members to form the rest of the committee.

The official website is www.llantwitmajorvictorianfair.co.uk. More information about the Town can be found by visiting www.llantwit-major.net.